Limestone rivers of Derbyshire

BANK TOP

This is a lovely section of the River Dove that nestles in the fold of the river valley. It is as peaceful a fishing spot as you will ever find, though the ever inquisitive cattle and sheep on Bank Top Farm will keep a watchful eye on you from behind the fence! Bank Top is the longest of the Trent Rivers Trust beats at over a mile in length and the Trust’s head keeper Andy Heath has worked hard in the past two years to create a very interesting fishery.

You will need your waders to cross from bank to bank, but essentially you will be fishing with a combination of wading and bank.The fall of the water from the top to the bottom of the beat is considerable and within that there are a series of rocky, tumbling falls with pools below then interspersed with glides under the trees.

This is a beat for light tackle where you will work all the water with a combination of dry and nymph, trying the pools and likely spots with a series of short casts. The river holds both brown trout and grayling. Waders are required. It is a ¼ mile walk from the car park to the mid-point of the beat where you reach the river. The beat is suitable for one or two Rods.

Bank Top Farm offers excellent bed and breakfast within sight of the river. Contact Sam and Jane Pilkington 01298 84205 www.peak-district-bed-breakfast.co.uk

Prices include VAT

CHARLES COTTON’S FISHING HOUSE

The Temple beat is a unique opportunity to fish the very same water Charles Cotton describes in The Compleat Angler and take the keys to the historic Fishing House. Our anglers have exclusive access to the Fishing House, which stands almost on an island where the river curves back on itself, or as Cotton describes more poetically ‘with the delicate clear river about it’.

The Dove flows through the beautiful Beresford Dale gorge, which rises up above the angler, a spectacular backdrop to a very special fishing place with the Fishing Temple at its heart. The river is a series of glides, sharp bends, deep pools with under cuts and a series of delightful weirs that date back to Cotton’s day.

Following much improvement work in the last year, the upper part of the Beresford Fishery has now been added to the Fishing House beat. Completely different in character from the limestone gorge of Beresford Dale, this part of the River Dove meanders through quiet pastoral fields in one of the most secluded parts of the Peak District Dales.

The clarity of the limestone river is exceptional, ideal for sight fishing to the native wild trout population and free rising grayling. There are some stocked fish, but there is a long term aim to make this section of the Dove an all wild trout fishery.

The beat may be fished from the bank or with selective wading, for which chest waders are advised. The fishing is suitable for up to four anglers.

Prices include VAT

For further details, please complete our enquiry form or e-mail info@fishingbreaks.co.uk